Welcome to NICA!
The National Independent Concessionaires Association is a membership-driven organization dedicated to strengthening relationships with the Fair, Festival, and Special Events Industries through effective Communication, Education, Benefits, Leadership, and Solutions.
Our growing membership includes over 1,200 mobile food and retail Concessionaires, Fairs, Festivals, and Associate Members in Industry-related companies that specialize in distribution, insurance, manufacturing, supplies, and special services in the United States and Canada. NICA's large number of benefits include discounts on variety of items including food, beverages, supplies, travel, and lodging, so you can make the most of your season.Â
NICA participates in a majority of State Fair annual conventions nationwide along with the NICA Business Expo and Fare Foods Food Show in February, Florida Federation of Fairs Convention and Trade Show in May, IAFE Convention in November, and NICA Marketplace and Trade Show in December.
Read the Latest Issue of NICA News:
2026 Scholarship Applications Are Due June 1st!
With the financial challenges that many of our students and their families are facing right now, the NICA Foundation is honored to award life-changing funds to so many deserving students. Created by NICA to oversee and administer a formal education scholarship program and foster development opportunities and training services, the NICA Foundation will be awarding a total of $70,000 to many deserving Scholarship Recipients in 2026.
The scholarship application for 2026 is now available online at www.nicainc.org/scholarship. Applications must be received in the NICA Office no later than June 1, 2026, to qualify. Start planning the next steps for the next chapter in your life today!
Join Us in Las Vegas November 8-11, 2026 for NICA Marketplace!
Together We Will Share Ideas, Networking, Products, and Services
We are proud to announce the upcoming 5th Annual NICA Marketplace, "Together!" where we will share ideas, networking, products, and services, taking place November 8-11, 2026 at the Tuscany Suites and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. In 48 hours you will network with colleagues, discuss practical solutions, enjoy storytelling, and return enriched.
Who:
YOU, Business Owners/Managers, Fair Industry Leaders, and Trade Show Exhibitors.
What:
NICA Marketplace will feature a non-exclusive Trade Show, Educational Sessions led by hands-on Event Industry Thought Leaders, and Networking Opportunities that are welcome and comfortable. A place where we all understand we are customers of each other and Together we share a Fair guest to serve.
When:
Sunday, November 8, 2026 through Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Where:
Tuscany Suites and Casino, 255 E. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89169. Stay Sunday, November 8th through Thursday, November 12th, with no resort fee, suite sized rooms with kitchenettes, free Wi-Fi, and Free Parking! Hotel is located six blocks off the strip on Flamingo Road (directly behind Horseshoe and Paris) and six minutes from the Harry Reid International Airport.
Why:
- This is YOUR convention: programming content is focused on Industry relationships using effective communication, benefits, education, leadership, and solutions.
- Share what is working in our Fair Community.
- Place Manufacturers and Suppliers in front of Business Owners and Managers.
- Showcase Commercial Exhibitors.
- Opportunity to streamline Practices and Procedures Together.
- Share Tips and Trends.
- Connect with your Fair Friends and Family.
- The Price is Right!
How:
Marketplace Membership Promotion:
When registering, add or become a new NICA Member for $125 and you will also receive the Early Bird rate ($80 savings).
Thank You For Attending the 2026 Expo & Food Show!
We were "Making Connections" at the 2026 NICA Business Expo and Fare Foods Food Show! The week kicked off with an informative Keynote Address on Corporation & LLC Secret Strategies for Success, presented by Michael Wedaa, Augmentus. Throughout the NICA Business Expo, from Monday through Wednesday, Educational Sessions and Workshops were presented on a variety of subjects by Industry Professionals including AI, Affordability, Marketing, Trends, Labor, What Business Owners Need to Know, and Changing Tastes of the Fair Guest. We also featured 7 "How To" Workshops on NICA Benefits, Public Speaking, Applying for the CCE Program, Purchasing a Concession Trailer, Hosting NICA Gatherings, Fiserv / Clover, and more!
We were also proud to welcome David Grindle, IAFE President and CEO, for his take on the IAFE Fairs Economic Impact National Report and Roundtable Discussions on topics such as Managing Lines, Employees Trading Food and Products, Preventing Theft, Enhancing the Guest Experience, Forms of Payment, and Using Social Media. In addition, the Fare Foods Food Show showcased over 50 Trade Show Exhibitors who specialized in Food, Insurance, Manufacturing, Supplies, Technology, and more. The event closed with the Annual General Membership Meeting, including the Passing of the Gavel, Board Installation, NICA Year in Review, CCE Awards, and Coca-Cola Membership Contest Drawings. Our "Making Connections" Annual Gala Celebration wrapped up the evening with a Cocktail Reception, Dinner, NICA Foundation Spotlight, Hall of Fame Ceremony, and more!
Congratulations to NICA Hall of Fame Recipient Jennifer Giordano, CCE, Good Neighbor Award Recipient Ray Allison, CFE, on behalf of the Indiana State Fair, CCE Recipients Isabella Barona and Ryan Hagy, Most New Members Winner Cameron Murray, and our many Food Show Windfall, Cornhole Tournament, Membership Contest, and Door Prize winners.
Stay tuned to upcoming publications for more coverage! We will be posting more about the event in the coming weeks, as well as an overview in the next issue of NICA News. Do you have any photos to share of the event? Make sure to send them to us by email, post on NICA Live! or tag @NICAInc when you post on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) so we see them!
The discount and savings programs that NICA has negotiated with our premiere partners are just another way we are building relationships throughout this industry in order to bring much needed and REAL benefits to our members. See the latest Benefit Booklet for more details.
Member Benefits
View our full benefits list and see how you can save more than the cost of a membership.
